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Breastfeeding and Such

One Man's Perspective

By Tom Irvin

From a new dad's perspective, I must tell all prospective dads out there that you really have no clue about what you're getting into. We guys have a tendency to look at an event or challenge, to solve it, and to go on to the next one. So when I found out "we" were pregnant, my focus naturally shifted to meeting the challenge of delivery and birth.

I remember the rude shock I felt when I discovered that this "finish line" really wasn't a finish line at all, but only the starting line of a long, never-ending race ahead of me. So rest up, because just when you think you've made it through the nine months of pregnancy, the cold reality of taking care of a newborn 24 hours a day sets in. You'll miss your normal schedule, and you'll have to pick up the slack around the house, because your partner will be busy with the baby for months to come.

During our pregnancy, I was somewhat willingly dragged along to birthing classes, breastfeeding classes, etc. It's amazing what you learn in these things – like your wife's internal organs shifting all around to make room for the baby. Or delivery? Guys, think for a second about the agony, tearing, etc., you'd experience if you tried to "pass" a football. That's what your wife goes through at childbirth – so don't expect her to be up doing laundry or cooking anytime soon. Heck, we'd whimper for months afterward if we had to go through it! So I don't care what you do for a living, plan to take several weeks off to pamper your wife, do all the household chores and let her recuperate at her own pace.

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